Work handling apparatus



-m MW' Nov. 12, 1957 w. L. CORTEGGIANO ETAL 2,312,870

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. '15, 1951 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 TNESSES:|NVENTOR$ wllliom L. Corteggmno and Paul F. Good. I

Nov. 12, 1957 w. CORTEGGIANO :r'AL ,870

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2.

WITNESSES; INVENTORS %7 4 William L.Corteggiono ATTORNEY WI; ZE'ssESENov- 12, 1957 'w. L. CORTEGGIANO ETAL 2,8 70

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1951 4 sheets sheet 5 ATTORNEYNov. 12, 1957 w. L. CORTEGGIANO EIAL 2,812,870

WORK HANDLING APPARATUS Fil ed Nov, 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 94Insulation WITNESSES t William L.Cor tggiono 5%77/wl5 and Paul F. Good.

' ATT 0 RNEY United States Patent Dfilice 2,812,870 Patented Nov. 12,1957 WORK HANDLING APPARATUS William Lucian Corteggiano and Paul F.Good, Baltit: more, Md., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation,East Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application November15, 1951, Serial No. 256,572

14 Claims. (Cl. 214-340) Our invention relates to workpiece-handlingapparatus and, more particularly to a multiple-position type ofapparatus for use in handling workpieces which are to be treated by someoperation such as an induction heating and quenching operation for apurpose in the nature of hardening the workpieces.

It is an object of our invention to provide a simple apparatuscomprising a multiple-position work-handling apparatus, which is adaptedto handle workpieces in a continuous process as the workpieces are beingheat treated.

It-is another object of our invention to provide a multiple-positionwork-handling apparatus which is adapted to readily handle workpieces ofa plurality of different sizes.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a work-handlingapparatus which is adapted to be readily determinable for operation in apredetermined plurality of positions, any one position of said apparatusbeing operable for as many workpieces as desired. It is a differentobject of our invention to provide a work-handling apparatus which isoperable in any one of a plurality of positions, and Which is readilymodified subsequent to operation in any one of said positions to anotheroperating position.

It is a still different object of our invention to provide awork-handling apparatus which is adapted for operation in any one of apredetermined number of positions, and which includes an integratedplurality of workpiece heattreating and quench-treating units.

It is still another object of our invention to provide a compositework-handling apparatus having a plurality of work-handling positions,each of those positions including a work-treating unit.

It is a still further object of our invention to provide an integratedworkpiece-handling apparatus which includes a plurality ofworkpiece-handling positions, said unit being movable relative to asupport base such that a separate workpiece feeder apparatus can besupported by said base in fixed position, and the multiple-positionworkpiece-handling apparatus moved relative thereto to provide aselective plurality of workpiece-handling positions.

It is yet another object of our invention to provide a precision-builttool in the form of workpiece-handling apparatus, said tool beingoperable to firmly grip, guide, and rotate individual workpieces in adesired plane of operation as the workpieces are handled in massproduction quantities.

In accordance with our invention, a multiple-position workpiece-handlingapparatus in the form of a movable turret structure is provided, saidturret structure being supported by a support cradle such that theentire turret structure is movable relative to said cradle. The supportcradle and a separate workpiece feeder apparatus are mounted on a commonsupport base such that workpieces can be supplied by said feederapparatus to the input end of said turret structure. The workpieces thenpass through the turret structure where they are individually treated byan integral heat-treating and quenching unit, and subsequently pass outof the turret structure to a suitably provided receiving unit. Theturretstructure includes at its input end a workpiece guide tube and at itsoutput end a second workpiece guide tube. The turret structure caninclude any reasonable desired number of workpiece positions, thestructure illustrated and described herein, however, being -aone-to-four position turret structure for purposes ofillustration only.The turret structure and support cradle are in the form of aprecision-built work-handling apparatus and include workpiece supportrollers which grip, guide, and rotate the individual workpieces as theypass through the turret structure in any desiredplane of operation, theillustrated apparatus herein is shown and described to be in ahorizontal plane. The workpieceswhich are handled can have any range ofdiameters which it is desired to treat. However, in the actual useof-the apparatus described herein and inaccordance with our invention,we have successfully treated workpieces having diameters ranging from aminimum of% inch to a maximum of 2 inches.

The turret-structure per se includes a'pair of opposite end members,each of which is machined to provide the proper number of workpiecepositions as desired. A plurality of tie rod members is provided betweenthese end members to firmly and rigidly support the latter in positionrelative to each other. 'Between adjacent pairs of saidtie rods, thereare supported an induction heating coil and an adjacent quench unit suchthat each of the-latter units has an axis which lies along the workpiecetreatment path for each of the selectable positions provided by theturret structure. Suitable support rollers are provided as an integralcomponent of the turret structure for-each ofthe workpiece treatingpositions. These rollers are power driven to effect the desiredworkpiece rotation as the workpieces pass through the turret structure.

The novel features that we consider characteristic of our invention areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Figure-1 is a front elevation view showing the overall work-handlingapparatus in accordance with our invention, and the cooling and quenchwater supply plus the power supply for the heating coil, as well as theprovided arrangement for feeding workpieces into and out of themultiple-position work-handling'apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section along line II-II of Fig. 3-of the turretstructure per se in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 3 is an end View showing a cross section of the turret structureshown in Fig. 2 along the lines IIII II of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the drive gear arrangement forrotating the workpiece support rollers;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view with parts broken away of ourapparatus;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the induction heating member, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the quenching member.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a support base member 10 on which there ismounted a support cradle 12, said support cradle movably supporting aturret structure including a pair of end members 14 and 16. A pluralityof tie rods 18 are connected between the end members 14 and 16 such thatthe latter members are firmly fastened together in rigid positionrelative to each other.

A first locking member and a second locking member 22 are provided tofirmly hold the respective end members 14 and 16 in positive position inthe support lcradle 12 relative to, the support base 10. The. lockingmembers20 and'22 are held together and fastened to the support base 10by means of a manually adjustable screw arrangement 24. Between the endmembers 14 and 16, there is provided a plurality of support shafts 26,which .shafts support a plurality of workpiece support rollers 28. ,Withthe apparatusas shown in Fig. 1, workpieces are fed to the left end ofthe turret structure and through end member 14 by means of a workpiecefeed apparatus 30, said apparatus being in accordance with thedisclosure of P. F; Good in his application Serial No. 215,467, filedMarch 14, 1951. The individual workpieces 31 pass from the workpiecefeed apparatus to an input guide tube member 32 which is supported bytwo of the tie rod members 18 that are on opposite sides adjacent theworkpiece path through the turret structure and including the inputguide tube member 32. From the input guide tube member 32, the workpiece31 pass throgh a provided workpiece passage opening in end member 14,and are subsequently supported by the in-feed rotational support-rollers28 which are shown nearest the end member 14 of the turret structure.From the in-feed support rollers, the individual workpieces pass to aheating member 34, such as an induction heating coil, and then ifdesired to a quenching member 36. It is to be understood that the quenchmember 36 could be dispensed with and that any suitable work processingapparatus be substituted for either or both of members 34 and, 36. Afterpassing through the quenching member 36, the workpieces 31 are supportedby the out-feed support rollers 28, which are shown positioned nearestto the end member 16 of the turret structure. From the out-feed supportrollers 28, the individual workpieces 31 pass through a providedworkpiece passage opening in the endmember 16, and to an output guidetube member 38.

The support base 10 includes an upright structure 40 which, in turn,supports a high-frequency power supply transformer 42, that is connectedthrough a suitable lead connection structure 44 to the heating unit 34.Cooling water for the connection structure 44 is supplied throughconductors 46 and 48. A lift arrangement 50, including a manuallyoperable handle, is provided to physically lift the power supplytransformer 42 and connection 44 from electrical connection with theheating unit 34 when it is desired that the turret structure, in-

to the support base 10 to provide a new workpiece treating position. Asuitable quench medium supply is provided, including conductor tube 52connected to quench member 36. A Zero speed switch member 54 is providedto determine when the movement of the workpieces is terminated. Themember 54 is effective to disconnect the heating member 34 for itssupply of electrical power when such movement ends for any reason.

e A gripping or idler roller member 56 is provided for each of thein-feed and out-feed support roller groups, said gripping roller 56being held by a support arm 58, which is pivotally fastened to an idlerroll'er support shaft 60. The latter fastening is spring loaded suchthat the idler roller 56 exerts a pressure or force against theindividual workpieces 31 to hold the latter against the support rollers28 as the workpieces 31 move along the provided workpiece-treating path,including guide tube members 32 and 38;

' A drive pulley 62 is provided for rotating the support rollers 28,said drive pulley being connected to a drive shaft 64. At the end of thedrive shaft 64 opposite the drive pulley 62, there is provided a'gearmechanism 66 including a driving gear on the end of the drive shaft 64and a driven gear on each of the support roller shafts 26 such that thesupport rollers 28 are thereby eluding end members 14 and 16, should bemoved relative rotated to efiectivelyrotate the workpieces 31 as thelatter move along the workpiece-treating path between the guide tubes 32and 38.

In Fig. 2, there is shown a vertical section of the turret structure perse of Fig. 1. Between the end members 14 and 16, there is provided aplurality of tie rods 18. Each of these tie rods passes through both ofthe end members 14 and 16 and extends outwardly from these end members asuitable distance for the support and connection of the guide tubes (notshown) in their respective positions on these :tie rods. The supportrollers 28 are supported by the support roller shafts 26. The lowermostsupport rollers 28 and support roller shaft 26, as shown in Fig. 2,"areillustrated in section.

Drive pulley 62'is connected vto one end of drive shaft 64, and theopposite end of drive shaft 64 is connected to a driving gear 68.Suitable bearing support means 70 is provided for both Eends ofthe driveshaft 64. A driven gear 72 is shown meshed with driver gear 68, theformer being connected .toone end of support shaft.26. The driver pulley62 is thereby effective to rotate the support shaft 26, through the gearmembers 68 and 72. Suitable support bearing means 74 are provided foreach of the support shafts 26. Idler roller support shaft 60 is shownconnected between the end member 14 and the end member 16. From supportshaft 60 there is connected the idler roller support arms 58 which, inturn, support idler rollers 56. The right-hand uppermost idler roller 56as drawn in Fig. 2 is shown in section, illustrating how it is connectedto the idler roller support arm 58 and includes a bearing member 76 andthreaded connector member 78.

An induction coil clamping member 80 and quench unit clamping member 82are shown in position relative to the work path provided by theillustrated uppermost support rollers 28 and idler rollers 56. One ofthese coil and quench unit clamping members 80 and 82 are connected toeach tie rod 18 on opposite sides of the work path.

The lowermost idler support shaft 60 is shown in section, illustratingthe connection of the support arms 58 to the support shaft 60. Each ofthe support arms 58 is spring loaded by means of the respective springmembers 84.

In Fig. 3, there is shown an end view of the turret section taken alongthe line IlL-III of Fig. 2. End member 16 is shown in the view, which istaken in a direction looking toward end member 16 from the inside of theturret structure. Tie rods 18 are shown, with coil clamping means 82shown thereon. Workpieee support rollers 28 are shown in their positionsrelative to the workpiece passage opening 86. Each of the openings 86are shaped to have an axis. The latter workpiece passage openings 86comprise workpiece openings which have been cut or machined into endmember 16 to allow the passage of workpieces 31 through that endmember.- An upper and'a lower idler roller 56 are illustrated, assupported by their respective support arms 58 and support shafts 60.

The right and left-hand workpiece paths are not illustrated asfinallyadapted for operation, and, therefore, no idler rollers are illustratedfor these positions. The turret structure illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3is designed and intended for two-position operation. In other words twoworkpiece treating paths are provided, each being adapted for thetreatment of a different sized workpiece. However, it is to beunderstood that the apparatus of Figs. 2 and 3 is readily adaptable asany one of a oneto-four position apparatus merely by the addition of thenecessary apparatus components. For example, were the work-handlingapparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 to be adapted for single-positionoperation, one set of the idler rollers 56 and their support arm 58would not be necessary and, therefore, could be removed. On the othervhand, were thisapparatus to be. adapted for threein Fig. 5.

. position operation, an additional set of idler rollers and supportarms could be' readily added to'the structure to provide a' thirdworkpiece treating path through, for

example, one of the right'or left-hand workpiece openings as shown inthe end member '16; In'this respect when the apparatus as shown in Fig.1 is adapted for single position operation, additionalidler rollers,heating and quenching members, andguide tubes are needed for anyotherpositions.

*In Fig. 3 the support shaft-26-for each of the support rollers 28 isshown;-= Drive shaft 64 is shown in its centerinost positionrelative-tothe turret structure of our" work-handling apparatus, and an end"section view o f theidler roller support" shaft 60" tor -each oflustrated idler rollers '56 is shown. In Fig: 4 is shown a partialor-fragmentary section view of the gearrne'chanism 66 shown inFigs. land 2. Drive shaft 64 is shown keyedto dr iver*gear -68. Driven gears72, one on 'each of the respective support shafts 26 are shown; "Apartialyiew' of the workpiece passage openings 86 is shown, theillustrated arrangement being that of the-two-position turret structureof Fig. 3. Note that theupper and lower openings are effectively pearshaped, whereas the right and left side openings as viewed are circular.The preferred shape of the openings is' the pear shape of the upper andlowermost openings The'modification of the apparatus as illustrated inFigsf3 and 4 which would be necessary, were the apparatus--tobe-=changed to a four-position apparatus, would preferably requirethe change in the shape of the right and left-'side openings to thepearshape of the upper and lowermost openings.

In'Fig. 5 there is-shownan end elevational view, with par t ofit brokenaway, ofthe apparatus illustrated in 1. The upperrnost part of theturret structure, as viewed inwa direction from -the="interior of theturret structure looking toward end member '14, "is shown in section andthe lowermost part of the turret structure ist-shown lookingin aidirection:.from the'ou'tside of the turret istructureetoward end' member16.. Two of the support" rollersf 28. are'shown supporting a workpiece31 in atreat'ment' position along .the workpiece treating path. z'Idlrroller "56 is shown in position above'the' workpiece 31'-.to:.exer.txia.forcewagainstithe workpiece and: pressdtaintozpositionontothe supportrollers 28. Fhe lturretfstr ucture support cradle/12 is shown in itsposition relative to the support base 10.; The manually operable lift"arrangement 50 :is connected' to'the power supply-transformer 42,-suchnthatxthe =lift arrangement 50 can physically lift'the power'supplyrtransformer 42 andtrthe' leadraconnections'M, tovele'ctricallydisconnect lea'dtconnections44 from the induction heating coil 3'4z Thisis accomplished by pivotingrthetsupport structure 51 of the transformer427313011111 :pivotmember" 53. The supportistructure 51.'f01" the,transformera42 includes ashieldfimember 55,.iwhichshields the turretapparatus from the ele'ctricalfield setup by and due to the operation ofthe-transformer 42. Thendrive pulley 62 is rotated by means-ofv a?connecting belt member 57 and a driving means 59, which :may bein theform of a motor, or similar apparatus. 'In Fig. *5, the quench member-36is-shown in position relative to the support rollers 28- and theworkpiece treatment path. This quench member36 is supported bytwo of thetie rods 18 which are illustrated in uppermost position adjacent theworkpiece treatrnent path. The heatingv coil 34 is not shown in Fig.5,-other-than the connecting leads frornithe coil which electricallyconnect to the lead connection structure 44. However, the inductionheating coil-3lis supported by-the same two. tier'ods 18 whichsupport-the quench member 36, said tie rods being parallel to theworkpiece. treating path and lying in a plane perpendicular to the-plane.of thendrawing, as illustrated Theheating membershown in Fig. 6includes a pair of electrical. connection rnemherso90v and. 92. whichare separated by an insulation member 94. Cooling medium conductors 96and 98 are provided for the cooling fluid, such as water which ispassedthrough the "heating member 34 to cool it during its actualoperation. A cross support member 100 is shaped for connectionbetween'the tie rod members 18, such that the heating coil which iscovered by an insulating casing 102 is in proper position relative tothe work treating path so the workpieces pass through the opening 104,saidopening having an axis along which the workpieces pass in atreatment path.

Respecting the quenching member 36 shown in Fig. 7, a quenching mediumconductor 106 allows the entry of quenchingmedium into the quenchingmember so the quenching medium can be projected against the heatedworkpieces, as those workpieces pass through the opening "108 in thequenchinng member 36, said opening having an axiscorresponding to-theWork treatment path. The outer casing of the quenching member 36 isshaped such that it can be supported by two of the tie rods 18 that areadjacent the workpiece treating path, as shown in Fig. 5.

- Inthe operation of the apparatus in accordance with our invention,workpieces 31 are received from a hopper (not shown in Fig. 1) and fedby the workpiece feed apparatus 3%), which is partially shown in Fig. 1in accordance with the above-referred-to application of P. F. Good. Itis to be understood, however, that any suitable workpiece feed apparatuscould be employed, and the apparatus shown and described is notnecessarily the only such apparatus which,is satisfactory for thispurpose. The latter work feed apparatus 33 is .a positive feed type ofapparatus, and is of the type which feeds workpieces 31 in end-to-endrelation, with the work pieces 31 which enter the in-feed guide tube 32being' positively pushed by those workpieces which are still carried bythe work feed apparatus 30. The'workpieces are fed in a continuous linefrom the work feed ap paratus' 30 through the in-feed guide tube. 32,through the workpiece passageopening in the end member 14, and to theinfeed support rollers 28. The in-feed support rollers 28 impart arotation to the individual workpieces 31, and the'in-feed idler roller56-exerts a pressure against the workpieces to assist the operation ofthe in-feed supportrollers' 28 in this respect; The workpieces 31 thenpass from the 'in-feed support rollers 28 intothe induction heatingcoil34 where they are inducti-vely heat treated as desired; From theinduction heating coil 34, the-workpieces pass into the quench member 36where they are quenched as desired; From the quench member 36, they passto the out-feed support rollers 28, then through the workpiece passageopening in the end member 16, and into the out-feed guide tube 38. Fromthe out-feed guide "tube 38, the'workpieces 31 pass to a suitablereceiving member (not shown in Fig. 1

The zero speed switch member 54 is effective to electrically. disconnectthe heating member 39 if the passage of the individual-workpieces 31'through the guide tube 38 is terminated for any reason. The inductionheating current is received from apower supply including transformer 42and connection members 44. The quenching fluid is received throughconductor 52, while a cooling fluid, such as water, issu'ppliedtotheheating coil through conductor 47. I

If a workpiece, or group ofworkpieces,'of a different size isto behandled, a second position'ofthe workpiece-handling apparatus-inaccordance with our invention is necessary, dependent of course upon thesize of the workpiece since it is well known that the clearance betweenthe heating coil and workpiece in this respect is determining; To movethe apparatus to a different position,'the lockingirnembers 20 and 22are loosened by means of manually adjustablewand threaded memberq24,such that the turret structure; including end members 14. and 16,:can bemoved relative to the support base 10 about an axis through the centerof the turret structure, including the center line of drive shaft 64.However, before the turret structure can be so moved, the manuallyoperable lift member 50 is employed to effectively lift the connectionmembers 44 of the power supply transformer 42 away from the heating coil34.

At the new position of the turret structure, the looking members 20 and22 are again tightened against the provided flanges on the respectiveend members 14 and 16 such that the turrett structure is held againstmovement relative to support base 10. In this new position of the turretstructure, a difr'rent work path is provided another pair of iii-feedand out-feed support rollers 28. Referring to Fig. 3, it is readilyevident how the end member 14 can be moved relative to an axis includingthte drive shaft 64 such that the respective workpiece passage openings86 are successively in the uppermost or operative position. In is thisuppermost position which is aligned with the workpieces as they are fedfrom the workpiece feed apparatus 30. Accordingly, it will be seen how adifferent pair of support rollers 28 and a different workpiece passageopening 86 is provided for each of the operative positions of Fig. 3.

I In .this respect it is to be noted that the illustration of Fig. 3 isintended for a two-position operation, namely, when the uppermostworkpiece passage opening 86 is in its illustrated position or when thelowermost workpiece passage opening, as illustrated, is in the uppermostposition. However, it is to be further understood that the illustratedleft and right side work passage openings could be readily modified suchthat either or workpiece treating passage.

For each of the workpiece treating passages, there are provided separateguide tubes 32 and 38, a separate induction heating coil 34, and aseparate quench member 36. These components are closely machined for usewith the particular sized workpieces which are to be treated, and theyare rigidly constructed to close tolerances such that, when they areproperly mounted on the locating tie rods 18 of the turret structure,the guide tubes, inductor coil, and quench unit for each position areproperly aligned to provide a workpiece treating path through the turretstructure. In this respect each of the guide tubes, the workpiecepassage openings of each end member, the heating coil member and thequench unit has an axis, which by definition is, intended to correspondto and lie along the respective workpiece treatment paths.

Changing the apparatus from the treatment of a workpiece of one diameterto the treatment of a workpiece of another diameter is readilyaccomplished by disconnecting the power supply transformer 42 from theheating coil 34, disconnecting the quench water supply conductor 52 fromthe quench unit 36 and the cooling water supply 47 from the heating coil34, loosening the locking members 20 and 22, and moving the entireturret structure to the alternate position where the desired sizeheating coil, quench unit, and in-feed and out-feed guide tubes arealready mounted. When it is in the latter position, the turret structureis firmly locked into position by means of the locking members 20 and22.

p The idler rollers 56 are spring loaded to hold down the workpiecesagainst the particular pair of support rollers 28 in the workpiecetreating path. This arrangement assures rotation of the workpieces andprovides adequate gripping pressure to insure positive longitudinalguiding of the workpieces as the workpieces span the distance betweenthe in-feed support rollers 28 and the out-feed support rollers 28through the inductor coil 34 and the quench applicator 36. V

1 Mechanical alignment of the in-feed and out-feed supboth of the latteropenings 86 could be employed as a port rollers 28 is insured bymounting the respectivethrough a different set of guide tubes 32 and 38,a different sized heating coil 34 and quench unit 36, and

support rollers which are on each side of the workpiece treatment pathon common shafts 26, said shafts extend- .ing from one end member 14 tothe other end member 16. Since the idler roller is supported by supportarm 58 and spring loaded through a connection to support shaft 60, acommon shaft for the individual idler rollers 56 is not used, but ratherthe support arms 58 are pivoted from a common support shaft 60 to assureaxial alignment with the workpieces and with the support rollers 28. Thespan distance or gap between the in-feed support rollers 28 and theout-feed support rollers 28 can be readily changed or adjusted by addingor removing support roller sections. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,there are two support roller sections comprising the in-feed supportrollers and two support roller sections comprising the out-feed supportrollers.

Depending upon the length of the workpieces, the guide tubes 32 and 38can be replaced with a set of guide rollers, which may be similar to thesupport rollers 28 illustrated in the drawings.

A modification of our invention may be to adapt the apparatus such thatthe workpieces were not rotated as they passed along the work treatmentpath. A still further modification would be to design the apparatus suchthat only a single end member were used, and the support rollers andidler rollers would be supported by that single end member, or thesupport and idler rollers may not be included, but merely a heating unitand quench member provided for each treatment position.

The single end member would be similar to those herein disclosed,however a modified support and locking arrangement may be necessary.However, in this respect, it is considered to be obvious to one skilledin the art to make such a modified support and locking arrangement for asingle end member adapted for multiple-position work treatment inaccordance with our invention.

In the actual operation of the work-handling apparatus in accordancewith our invention, we have successfully heat treated workpieces whoselengthsvaried from 2% inches to 20 inches and whose diameters variedfrom inch to 2 inches. It should be readily evident to a person skilledin this art, that workpieces of greater or smaller lengths or greater orsmaller diameters could readily be heat treated by obvious modificationsof our work-handling apparatus.

Although we have shown and described certain specific embodiments of ourinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in' the art that ourinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown, but issusceptible of various changes and modifications without departing fromthe spirit thereof.

We claim as our invention:

1. In work-handling apparatus, the combination of a first end memberhaving a plurality of workpiece passage openings, a second end memberhaving a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings, a supportshaft connected between said first and second end members such that awork path is provided between one passage opening in each of said endmembers, with said support shaft being positioned adjacent andsubstantially parallel to said work path, and a rotatable support membercarried by said shaft for rotatably supporting a workpiece moving alongsaid work path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by a drive shaft beingsupported by one of said end members and gearing means connecting saiddrive shaft with said support shaft.

3. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a turretstructure including a first end member, a second end member, and aplurality of tie rods connected between said end members to hold thelatter end mem-, bers in rigid position relative to each other, asupport base for said turret structure, each of the end members having asimilar plurality of workpiece passage openings,

9 .a plurality of support rollers, and a support shaft for each of saidsupport rollers, said shaft: being connected between said end membersparallel to said tie rods.

4. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination .of a first'andsecond end member, a plurality of tie rods connected between the'endmembersto hold the end members in rigid position relative to each other,each of the end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passageopenings such that a workpiece passage is provided between one openingin the first end member and an opening of the second end membercorresponding in position to said one opening, a first workpiece supportroller mounted adjacent said first end member and a second workpiecesupport roller mounted adjacent to said second end member, a commonshaft carrying said support rollers, said shaft being connected betweenthe first and second end members, an idler roller, and a support armpivotally connected to one of said tie rods for moving said idler rollerto and from a position where it engages a workpiece carried by saidsupport rollers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, in which there is provided a support basecommonly supporting each of said end members, with an input guide tubesupported by one of said tie rods and positioned relative to one of theopenings in the first end member such that a work path is provided alongthe input guide tube and through one opening in each of the first andsecond end members.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which there is provided an output guidetube supported by said tie rod and positioned relative to one of theworkpiece passage openings of the second end member such that the workpath is along the output guide tube.

7. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a first andsecond end member and a plurality of tie rods connected between said endmembers to hold the end members in rigid position relative to eachother, a support base common to each of said end members, with each ofsaid end members having a similar plurality of workpiece passageopenings, each opening of the first end member corresponding in positionto an opening of the second end member such that a common workpiecepassage is provided therethrough, an input guide tube supported by oneof said tie rods and positioned relative to said first end member suchthat a workpiece in said workpiece passage can pass from the input guidetube through one of the openings of the first end member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, in which there is provided an output guidetube supported by one of the tie rods and positioned relative to thesecond end member such that a workpiece in said workpiece passage canpass from one of the openings in said second end member and along saidoutput guide tube. V

9. The apparatus of claim 8, in which both the input and output guidetube are supported by the same tie rod.

10. In workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a turrentstructure including a first and a second end member and a plurality oftie rods connected between said end members to hold the latter endmembers in rigid position relative to each other, each of said endmembers having a similar plurality of workpiece passage openings witheach of the openings of the first end member corresponding to one of theopenings of the second end member such that a workpiece passage isprovided therethrough, and a plurality of input guide tubes, each of theinput guide tubes being supported by one of the said tie rods.

11. In a workpiece-handling apparatus, the combination of a turretstructure including a first and a second end member and a plurality oftie rods connected between said end members to hold the end members inrigid position relative to each other, a support base for said turretstructure, each of said end members having a similar plurality ofworkpiece passage openings, with the first and second end members havinga common axis, a drive shaft member located on said axis, a first gearmeans connected 10 to said drivev shaft member, a plurality ofrotational sup port rollers, a support shaft for each of said rollers,said shaft being connectedbetweensaid-first and second end members, anda second gear means connected to said support shaft and operative withthe first gear means connected to said drive shaft member.

I 12. In work-handling apparatus including a work path, the combinationof a pair of end members, each of the end members having a similarplurality of workpiece passage openings, a pair of workpiece supportmembers rotatably supported by said end members for rotation about anaxis parallel to said work path and positioned between said end membersrelative to one workpiece passage opening in each of the end members,such that a workpiece can pass between each of the latter said openingsand be rotatably supported by said support members as it passestherebetween, said pair of end members being adapted to positiontherebetween said Work path such that a workpiece passes through saidwork path as it passes between the said openings in the first and secondend members, means for rotating said workpiece support members, and anidler roller carried between said end members for holding a workpiece infrictional engagement with said support members.

13. In workpiece handling apparatus, a rotatable shaft, a pair of spacedsupport members, anti-friction members mounting said support members onsaid shaft whereby the shaft and support members may rotateindependently about a common axis, a plurality of shafts rotatablycarried by and between said support members at points radially offsetfrom said axis, said plurality of shafts being parallel to said axis,means operatively connecting said first-mentioned shaft to saidplurality of shafts whereby torque applied to the said first-mentionedshaft will be transmitted to said plurality of shafts, and workpiecesupporting rollers fixed to said plurality of shafts to rotateworkpieces as they travel along a path located between successive onesof said shafts and parallel thereto.

14. In workpiece handling apparatus, a rotatable shaft, a pair of spacedsupport members, anti-friction members mounting said support members onsaid shaft whereby the shaft and support members may rotateindependently about a common axis, a plurality of shafts rotatablycarried by and between said support members at points readily offsetfrom said axis, said plurality of shafts being parallel to said axis,means operatively connecting said first-mentioned shaft to saidplurality of shafts whereby torque applied to the said first-mentionedshaft will be transmitted to said plurality of shafts, workpiecesupporting rollers fixed to said plurality of shafts to rotateworkpieces as they travel along a path located between successive onesof saidshafts and parallel thereto, and an idler roller carried betweensaid support members and movable to and from a position where it engagessaid workpieces as they travel along said path to hold the wclalrkpiecesin frictional engagement with said supporting ro ers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS876,814 Lester Jan. 14, 1908 1,355,521 Alexander et al Oct. 12, 19201,382,148 Walker June 21, 1921 1,431,930 Campbell Oct. 17, 19221,652,419 Shields Dec. 13, 1927 1,713,678 Seibert May 21, 1929 1,871,430Snow Aug. 9, 1932 1,915,672 Ives June 27, 1933 1,922,888 Engelbertz Aug.15, 1933 1,983,551 Lindberg Dec. 11, 1934 2,215,735 Jones Sept. 24, 19402,297,199 Buddecke Sept. 29, 1942 (Other references on following page)UNITED STATES PATENTS Somes Mar. 12, 1946 Hurley Sept. 24, 1946 Cox Mar.18, 1947 Connor et a1. Oct. 21, 1947 5 King July 26, 1949

